Camping Photography

Camping is a great opportunity to get loads of great pictures. Depending on where you are, and the time of year, you might find all kinds of interesting animals, plants, and landscapes. You can also take photos of people and of activities like fishing, setting up camp, etc. Everyone will love to see themselves in the photos after you get back.

Here are a few camping photography tips:

Do your research: Talk to a parent, guide, or park ranger to figure out what kind of wildlife and plants exist in the area and where to find them. Ask them if there is anything special about where you are going.

Always be safe: Do not wander off on your own without permission and look out for things like thorny bushes, nettles, or poison ivy. Also, always remember to watch your footing; you do not want to end up hurting yourself or breaking your camera.

Be prepared: Remember to bring enough batteries and camera memory. There is nothing worse than missing a great shot because your camera is not working. Remember to bring the right shoes and clothing for being out in nature, also in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Be careful with your camera: Watch out for things that can damage your camera, including moisture and dirt. Apart from your normal equipment, always take a few extra plastic bags along; they are great at helping to keep things dry and clean. Needless to say, dropping your camera or scratching the lens is also a bad idea.

Find interesting subjects: Try to make each photo special. Find something you that you like before you take random pictures. It could be anything like an animal, a river, an old tree, and so on.

Dawn and dusk: In the hours just after dawn and just before dusk you will have the best light for photography. This is sometimes called the "golden hour" because you can take photos with rich colours and a very special feel. This is also when most of the animals are active as they go to find water and food.

Remember the small things: Remember to look around you for small things that can make wonderful pictures. These could be insects, lizards, flowers, small mammals, birds, and so on. The best pictures have a lot of detail, so try to get a nice close-up picture of your subject.